FAITH IN ACTION

Faith In Action, St Clare School, Santa Clara, CA
 

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them,

“Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?

So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.”

Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

JAMES 2:14-18
 

SAINT Clare School’s Service Learning Program has four components:


Each component works together to provide opportunities for students, families, faculty, staff, and parishioners to further the Catholic social teaching themes of:

  • Life and Dignity of the Human Person

  • Call to Family, Community, and Participation

  • Rights and Responsibilities

  • Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

  • The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

  • Solidarity

  • Care for God’s Creation

AND instills the values identified in the Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLEs), values expected of our graduates.

A SAINT Clare School graduate…

🜊 is FORMED IN FAITH, reasons with intellect and seeks personal growth,

🜊 LIVES A LIFE IN COMMUNION with compassion and empathy through inclusion and intentional encounters, and

🜊 ACTS WITH JUSTICE to become responsible STEWARDS of the resources entrusted to us by God.

The program seeks to connect students to the greater community, beginning with one another in Faith Family Groups, to the parish, and the global society through participation in outreach programs and Service Learning opportunities.

All programs and projects must be approved and discussed with the Religion Coordinator or the Principal.

FAITH FAMILY GROUPS

Faith Family Buddies are a class of upper graders paired up with a class of lower graders. Once a month, the classes gather together and engage in the discussion of the day's focus. Activities include Opening the Word for the following Sunday readings, a discussion of the theme for the year, the habit of the week or the SLEs.

CLASSROOM OUTREACH

Each classroom is invited to develop an outreach program that is age-appropriate and which ties seamlessly to the Christian Living segment of the diocesan religion outcomes. Classroom outreach coordinators work with religion and/or homeroom teachers to make the experience meaningful for the students. Each outreach activity is led by the class, but may be promoted for participation by the school and parish. Classroom outreach must be approved by the Religion Coordinator.

SCHOOL-WIDE OUTREACH & ADVOCACY

The school, in partnership with the parish, will develop school-wide outreach at least twice a year: once during the season of Advent and another during the season of Lent. The school and parish staff will select the projects. Student Ambassadors and the Student Council will publicize and coordinate the efforts.

In the spring, a Parish and School Day of Service and Advocacy (ONE LOVE) may be planned where school and parish families come together to learn more about Catholic social teaching initiatives and advocacy opportunities. As part of the day, families work together to perform direct service and/or assemble goods to donate to local charities.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE BLOCK (Grades 6-8)

Together with their families, students in grades 6-8 seek out opportunities to serve the greater community outside of the school day. Hours obtained are reported and recorded by the homeroom/religion teacher. Each student writes a reflection regarding the transformative experience gained in the act of service.

Students who complete the requirement each grade level year will be recognized with a Service Block at the following scheduled Honors Assembly. At the Graduation Ceremony, Service Block honorees for all three grades get the privilege to wear a Red Cord to signify their achievement.

Required number of hours:

  • Sixth graders are required to complete 12 hours of Christian service during their sixth grade year.

  • Seventh graders are required to complete 14 hours of Christian service during their seventh grade year.

  • Eighth graders are required to complete 16 hours of Christian service during their seventh grade year.

Opportunities include:

  • Service to ministries at St. Clare Parish (liturgy, music, youth group)

  • Sacred Heart Community Services

  • Catholic Charities/Window of Hope ~ St. John XXIII Center

  • Catholic Cemeteries of Santa Clara County

  • Loaves and Fishes

  • Catholic Charities

  • EHC Life Builders

  • Opening Doors San Jose

  • Sobrato Family Centers

  • Casa de Clara

  • Day Worker Centers

  • Adult Day/Senior Centers

  • Other Service Moderator-approved organizations and initiatives.